Pelissero: Steelers Patience Is Going To Run Out Quickly Next Week

The Pittsburgh Steelers are going through the same charade that they went through back during the 2025 offseason. It all revolves around four-time league MVP Aaron Rodgers. The veteran is taking his sweet time in deciding whether or not he wants to continue his playing career, and whether or not he wants that continuation to be in Pittsburgh. Fans were promised that this saga would not drag out like it did back in 2025, but it is doing exactly that as Organized Team Activities (OTAs) are approaching, and a contract has still not been signed.

There have been several times throughout the 2026 offseason where either Team President and Owner Art Rooney II or General Manager Omar Khan has mentioned a potential deadline for a decision from Rodgers, but none of those deadlines mentioned have been honored. The organization is still waiting for a decision, even after placing the right-of-first-refusal tender on the quarterback. NFL insider Tom Pelissero joined The Rich Eisen Show on Thursday, and he spoke about the situation in Pittsburgh. He mentioned that the franchise could run out of patience.

"At some point, the patience is going to run out," Pelissero said. "It certainly seems like the patience for Steelers fans, just based on the feedback I get every time I talk about Aaron Rodgers, may already be running out for some people. For Art Rooney, for Mike McCarthy, who's trying to get the team ready on the field, that patience may be tested. I don't believe that has happened yet. If they don't have something in place by the start of next week, I think that we get there."

The offseason preparation for the 2026 season is in full swing now that OTAs are approaching. For the Steelers, the first day of OTAs takes place on Monday, May 18th. Rodgers was not around for the first part of OTAs during the 2025 offseason, but many have speculated that the date of May 18th is a time to watch for him to potentially sign a new contract. Pelissero believes that may be a line drawn in the sand between Rodgers and the organization.

The organization can run out of patience with Rodgers and decide to move on from the quarterback, and that might be the best thing for the franchise in the long run, but Rodgers provides Pittsburgh with its best chance to win now. The Steelers knew what they were getting involved in by partaking in this song and dance with Rodgers for another offseason, and it is the organization's own fault.

During the 2025 offseason, Rodgers signed right before the start of mandatory minicamp. That is when he was first seen donning the black and gold, and that is what should be expected once again. Even when the quarterback was under contract with the New York Jets, he still did not show up to OTAs, and expecting him to do so in Pittsburgh could be foolish.

Steelers Kind Of Have The Leverage Over Aaron Rodgers

Rodgers sort of needs to be careful with this situation if he does have the desire to continue playing football. The Steelers might be the only landing spot for him, and if he waits too long to sign, the franchise can certainly pull out and withdraw any interest it had in the quarterback. Other destinations like the Arizona Cardinals or the Denver Broncos have been mentioned in relation to Rodgers, but that has all been pure speculation rather than anything based in fact.

Some people expect Rodgers to be in Pittsburgh on or by May 18th, but the start of mandatory minicamp is a much more reasonable expectation. That falls on June 2nd.

What do you think about this report from Pelissero? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!

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